JPH11124195A - Expanding frame - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent separately loaded articles such as fruits and vegetables from being damaged by stacking a plurality of tubes made of rubber or the like in multiple stages and constituting a platform frame by expanding the tubes with air fed. SOLUTION: An expanding frame for loading separately loaded articles provided on a platform or the like of a light truck comprises tubes 3 stacked in six stages for example wherein adjacent upper and lower tubes 3 are joined at a contact line and connected via several vent holes. An intake port 6 is provided on a tube 3 on the lowest stage, while an exhaust fastener 7 is provided on a tube 3 on the highest stage. While air is not being fed to the expanding frame, the entire tubes 3 are in a flat state, so that it can be folded for storage and carrying, which is easy to handle. At the time of use, air is fed from the intake port 6, whereby the tubes 3 gradually expand from the upper stage to be a frame. In addition, the expanding frame can also be constituted as a container by fixing the frame to a pallet 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inflatable frame. More specifically, the present invention is easy to handle when carrying luggage such as fruits and vegetables on a luggage carrier of a small truck or temporarily storing the luggage without causing damage to the fruits and the like. The present invention relates to an inflatable frame for loading bulk goods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Light trucks are used for harvesting fruits and vegetables in orchards and vegetable gardens and then transporting them to a collection point. In order to load fruits and the like on the bed of a small truck, they are divided and stored in a plastic case or a cardboard box, or loaded, or a frame is provided on the bed and bulk is loaded. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one mode of a conventional loading method. In this embodiment, a frame plate 2 made of veneer board or the like is attached to the bed of the small truck 1, and fruits and the like are loaded in bulk. If fruits and the like are subdivided and stored in a plastic case or the like, the occurrence of damage during transportation can be prevented, but it takes a lot of labor to store the fruits in the case and load the case on and off the truck. On the other hand, when the frame plate is attached and bulk-packed, fruits and the like rub against the frame plate during transportation, and are easily damaged. Means of attaching a blanket or the like to the inside of the frame plate to prevent rubbing between the fruit and the frame plate have been taken, but it is difficult to completely prevent the occurrence of damage. In addition, since the height of the frame plate is constant, a large amount of labor is required for carrying fruits and the like to the truck bed over the frame plate. For this reason, there has been a demand for a means that can load and unload fruits and the like with little effort without damaging them.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is easy to handle a cargo, such as fruits and vegetables, which are to be piled in bulk on a carrier of a small truck or to temporarily store the cargo. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inflatable frame for loading bulk goods which does not cause any problem.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, a plurality of rubber tubes and the like are stacked in a multistage manner, and the tubes are supplied with air to expand. It was found that the frame thus formed was easy to handle and did not damage fruits and the like, and based on this finding, the present invention was completed.
That is, the present invention provides (1) a plurality of square annular tubes which are stacked in a multi-stage manner, all tubes are joined at contact lines with adjacent tubes, and the tubes are passed through through communication holes to supply air to the tubes. And (2) a plurality of square annular tubes are stacked in a multi-stage manner, each tube forms an independent space having an air supply port, and each tube is connected by a joint. Inflatable frame detachably joined, (3)
A plurality of linear tubes are stacked in a multi-stage manner, joined at contact lines of adjacent tubes and passed through through communication holes, and four planar structures provided with air supply ports in the tubes are jointed. (4) a plurality of straight tubes are vertically arranged in parallel and all tubes are joined at a contact line with an adjacent tube and passed through a communication hole; An inflatable frame that forms a frame structure having four surfaces by bending a planar structure in which an air supply port is provided in a tube along a line in the tube direction, and (5) fixed to a pallet at the bottom surface. Sections (1) and (2)
Item, the inflatable frame according to item (3) or (4), and
(6) Items (1), (2), (3), and (4) having a buffer layer made of a double air layer or a foam layer on the bottom surface of the storage section.
Item or an inflatable frame according to item (5).

[0005]

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention, FIG. 3 (a) is a front view thereof, and FIG. 3 (b).
Is a side view thereof, FIG. 3 (c) is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 3 (d) is a sectional view taken along line BB. In the inflatable frame of this embodiment, square annular tubes 3 are stacked in six stages, and adjacent upper and lower tubes are joined at a contact line 4 and communicated through six ventilation holes 5. The lowermost tube is provided with an air supply port 6, and the uppermost tube is provided with an exhaust fastener 7. When the inflatable frame is not supplied with air, the entire tube is flat and can be folded and stored and carried.
Easy to handle. In use, when air is supplied from an air supply port by an air supply pump or the like, the tube gradually expands from the upper stage to form an expanded frame shown in FIG. In the inflatable frame of the present invention, the material of the tube is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include natural rubber reinforced with fiber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, and vinyl chloride resin. Since the inflatable frame of the present invention is soft and rich in elasticity, even if fruits and vegetables are loaded and transported,
Unlike the case of the plate frame, there is little possibility that fruits and the like rub against the frame and are damaged. When finished, the air in the tube is evacuated by opening the exhaust zipper and the inflatable frame is initially flat. An inflatable frame of the size of a small truck bed can usually be inflated by air supply for 1 to 2 minutes.
It is evacuated within 2 minutes and returns to a flat state.

In the inflatable frame according to the present invention, the diameter and the number of steps of the tube are 80 mm in diameter, and the number of steps is from 10 to 200.
mm, preferably 4 steps, more preferably about 150 mm in diameter and about 6 steps. If the diameter of the tube is less than 80 mm, the rigidity of the inflatable frame may be insufficient. If the diameter of the tube exceeds 200 mm, it may be difficult to secure a storage space for the transported goods. It is preferable that the size of the square annular tube is matched with the inner size of the carrier of the small truck to be used. The inflatable frame of the present invention can be fixed to a pallet as needed. The method of fixing the inflatable frame and the pallet is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lowermost tube and the pallet 8 can be fixed using the fixing tool 9. The type of the fixing device is not particularly limited, and for example, a fixing device of a belt type, a buckle type, a fastener type, or the like can be used. By fixing the inflatable frame to the pallet, the inflatable frame becomes an independent container having a storage section. That is, when the plate frame shown in FIG. 1 is used, it is necessary to always occupy a small truck from loading of fruits and vegetables to unloading. By fixing the inflatable frame to the pallet to make it an independent container, fruits were put in the inflatable frame fixed to the pallet in an orchard, etc., then loaded on a small truck using a forklift etc., and transported to the collection point After that, the truck can be unloaded from the small truck by a forklift or the like, so that the loading / unloading work can be streamlined and the small truck as a transport vehicle can be used efficiently.

[0007] The inflatable frame of the present invention can be used as shown in FIG.
As shown in (d), a buffer layer 10 made of a double air layer or a foam layer can be provided on the bottom surface of the storage section. As a double air layer, for example, an air mat-like buffer layer in which air is blown and inflated into a flat mat-like bag formed of fiber-reinforced natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, vinyl chloride resin, etc. Can be mentioned. Examples of the foam layer include a buffer layer made of a sheet material such as foamed natural rubber, foamed synthetic rubber, foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene, foamed polyurethane, foamed vinyl chloride resin, foamed silicone, and the like. By providing the buffer layer on the bottom surface of the storage unit, it is possible to prevent fruits, vegetables, and the like from directly rubbing against the pallet or pallet of the small truck, being damaged, and being crushed by its own weight from above. The buffer layer can be fixedly joined to the lowermost tube, can be detachably attached to the lowermost tube, or can be placed on the bottom surface without joining to the lowermost tube. . In consideration of the washing of the inflatable frame and the buffer layer, it is preferable that the buffer layer be at least detachable.

The inflatable frame of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is further divided into an upper half and a lower half, and an air supply port and an exhaust fastener are provided respectively. A structure having no ventilation hole can be provided. For example, in the case of an inflatable frame having six tubes stacked, the tube is divided into two parts each having three tubes, fruits and the like are loaded in a state where the lower three tubes are expanded, and the three tubes are filled with fruits and the like. Then, by expanding the tube for the upper three stages and loading fruits etc., the barrier by the frame is lowered,
The loading operation can be facilitated without throwing fruits or the like. Similarly, at the time of unloading, by exhausting the tubes in the upper three stages, it is easy to take out fruits and the like stacked below. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the inflatable frame of this embodiment is loaded on a small truck and watermelons are loaded. When unloading at the collection site, if the inflatable frame 11 is provided with barriers on three sides and the exhaust fastener is opened with no barrier on only one side, the inflatable frame will be in a flat state. It rolls out from the side without a barrier, moves on a belt conveyor, etc., and can easily perform unloading work in a streamlined state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention. In the inflatable frame of the present embodiment, each of the square annular tubes 12 forms an independent space having the air supply port 6, and each tube is detachably joined by a joint 13. The air supply port of the tube can also serve as an exhaust port, or an exhaust port can be provided separately from the air supply port. The joint for joining the tubes is not particularly limited, and for example, fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener and a slide fastener, or a rope or the like can be used. Since the inflatable frame of this embodiment can stack one tube at a time, the number of stages can be sequentially increased while loading fruits and the like, and the barrier by the frame can always be operated in the lowest state. In addition, it is possible to always form an inflatable frame having an optimum height without causing any excess or deficiency in the height of the inflatable frame. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the inflatable frame, a plurality of linear tubes 14 are stacked in a multi-stage manner, joined at the contact lines of adjacent tubes, and penetrated by a vent hole. An air supply port is provided in the joined tube group, and one tube group becomes one planar structure by supplying air into the tube group and expanding the tube group. The air supply port of the tube can also serve as an exhaust port, or an exhaust port can be provided separately from the air supply port. A joint 13 is provided on the periphery of the planar structure, and is expanded by joining the four planar structures detachably by a joint or further detachably joining the buffer layer 10 on the bottom surface by a joint. Form a formula frame. There are no particular restrictions on the joint used, for example,
Fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener and a slide fastener can be used, or a rope or the like can be used.
The inflatable frame of the present embodiment removes one planar structure,
Workability is good because loading and unloading can be performed. The inflatable frame of this embodiment can be provided with pillars at four corners as needed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention. In the inflatable frame of this embodiment, a plurality of linear tubes 15 are vertically arranged in parallel, and all tubes are joined at a contact line of an adjacent tube.
Ventilation passes through. The air supply port 6 is provided in the tube, and the air is supplied into the tube to expand the tube, and by bending the tube along a line in the tube direction,
A frame structure having four surfaces is formed. The air supply port of the tube can also serve as an exhaust port, or an exhaust port can be provided separately from the air supply port. A joint 13 is provided at the periphery of the tube group, and the inflatable frame is formed by detachably joining both ends of the tube group by a joint, or by detachably joining the buffer layer 10 on the bottom surface with a joint. Form. The joint to be used is not particularly limited, and for example, fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener and a slide fastener, or a rope can be used. The inflatable frame of the present embodiment,
Suitable for use only as a truck bed type. The inflatable frame of this embodiment can be provided with pillars at four corners as needed.

[0011]

Since the inflatable frame of the present invention has elasticity, it does not damage fruits and vegetables stored during transportation. In addition, the inflatable frame of the present invention can easily form a frame structure in a short time only by inflating by sending air to a tube, and can be folded, stored and transported when not in use. Is easy. Further, by fixing the inflatable frame of the present invention to a pallet, the inflatable frame can be used as a container and the transportation efficiency of the truck can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one mode of a conventional loading method.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the inflatable frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a use state of the inflatable frame of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable frame of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small truck 2 Frame plate 3 Square annular tube 4 Contact line 5 Ventilation hole 6 Air supply port 7 Exhaust fastener 8 Pallet 9 Fixture 10 Buffer layer 11 Inflatable frame 12 Square annular tube 13 Joint 14 Straight tube 15 Straight tube

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of square annular tubes are stacked in a multi-stage manner, all tubes are joined at a contact line with an adjacent tube and passed through a communication hole, and an air supply port and an exhaust fastener are connected to the tube. Is provided with an inflatable frame. 2. An inflatable frame in which a plurality of square annular tubes are stacked in a multistage manner, each tube forms an independent space having an air supply port, and each tube is detachably joined by a joint. 3. A planar structure 4 in which a plurality of linear tubes are stacked in a multistage manner, joined at contact lines of adjacent tubes, passed through through communication holes, and provided with air supply ports in the tubes. An inflatable frame in which pieces are detachably joined by a joint. 4. A plurality of straight tubes are arranged in a vertical direction, all tubes are joined at a contact line with an adjacent tube, and the tubes are passed through by a communication hole. An inflatable frame formed by folding a planar structure formed along a line in a tube direction to form a frame structure having four surfaces. 5. The inflatable frame according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is fixed to a pallet. 6. The storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer layer formed of a double air layer or a foam layer on a bottom surface of the storage unit.
An inflatable frame according to claim 4 or claim 5.